Kristen Smith, who claimed she was pregnant, has been charged with the kidnapping of her step-nephew, 6-day-old, Kayden Powell. The baby’s mother, 18-year-old, Brianna Marshall reported her son missing in Wisconsin early Thursday morning. Powell was later found alive on Friday wrapped in blankets and a tote bag at a gas station in Iowa as previously reported . Despite minus 23-degree temperature with wind chill, Powell was found healthy and fine.
Smith immediately became a person of interest after becoming missing the same time it was revealed that the newborn was missing. While questioning Smith, authorities found a prosthetic belly, stroller and baby clothes according to USA Today .
Smith was arrested Thursday for unrelated charges and later told officials Friday where she had placed the baby, supplying police with a hand-drawn map. Smith also told police that she left the baby at the gas station before she was arrested.
In addition to the baby items found, police have discovered emails through her phone and Facebook posts claiming she had given birth Feb. 5. A negative pregnancy test came back of Smith after it was administered at the jail.
No report as to what the motive was to kidnap Powell however Smith could receive at a maximum of life in prison for kidnapping charges.